Big and Small and In-between by Carter Higgins illustrated by Daniel Miyares

 

I have coveted this 2022 book since I first saw it many months ago, so when one of our best Sydney bookshops (Gleebooks) announced their 20% sale prior to moving to new premises I was able to grab this book for less than $30. 

There was a competition recently for the best end papers. Big and small and in-between could certainly be a strong contender. These end papers are different front and back, the front ones have a sunrise hue and the back ones night is falling. These pages are filled with the big and small objects from the book such as a chipped tea cup, a key, shells, coins, a cassette tape, dice, a whistle, a feather and a skipping ripe. 

Publisher blurb: This lovely, lyrical book collects the world by size. Divided into three chapters with three specially paper-engineered separations, every page encapsulates one precious moment that perfectly represents both a size and an experience. A beautiful, giftable meditation on what it means to be a kid - and what it means to be a human. This book has a beautiful blend of lyrical text and interpretive illustrations. The big, small and in-between things all lend themselves to deep conversations.

The three chapters in this book are big, in-between and small. Let's Talk Picture books explains the paper folds:

But perhaps the most exciting part of the book's design is the different paper folds we see on the section headers. Decreasing in intricacy and size as they go, they perfectly build up to the bonus surprise chapter and gatefold at the end of the book. The impact of the gatefold is amazing after all that!

I love all the pages in this book but especially these:

BIG - the trophy you got for the jump-rope contest because your feet remembered the pattern.

In-Between - the leftover balloons that are losing their oomph but not all the way droopy.

SMALL Things - the PLIP of a raindrop and the PUDDLE where it falls for a butterfly to sip.

I would be tempted to share this book very slowly with a class of older students (Grades 4-6) and only reveal one page each day. This book might not survive multiple library borrowers because of the paper engineering but it is one you could gift to a teacher or a special friend or perhaps it might be a gift to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. 

Truly a book that soothes the worries and congratulates the soul for being here and celebrates the amazing thing we are living - together - called a life.  These are magical moments that connect us.  These are sad and happy things we all share because we are human beings living side by side on this planet.  What an amazing celebration of being alive and here today. A Book and a Hug

Here are some other books illustrated by Daniel Miyares:

I previously talked about Bring me a Rock!

Ada and the Galaxies by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv illustrated by Susanna Chapman

It is difficult to explain the delight I feel when I open a book and see glorious end papers. In this book they are decorated with sea creatures, seaweed fragments, and tiny plant treasures. I completely agree with Kirkus who say: Astonishing artwork shines. Good news - later this year this book will be available in a paperback edition. 

Here is the opening sentence of Ada and the Galaxies:

"Ada loves the stars. But in New York, the city lights make the night sky too bright to see the stars."

So Ada and her parents take a trip to visit their grandfather who lives on an island in Maine. After a day filled with exploring the beach Ada waits for the night so she can finally see the stars in the night sky. I loved the way her grandfather used high tide as a way to show the passing of time from day to night. 

Publisher blurb: New York Times best-selling author Alan Lightman, in collaboration with Olga Pastuchiv, brings galaxies close in a stunning picture-book tribute to the interconnectedness of the natural world. Layering photographs taken from the Hubble telescope into charming and expressive art, illustrator Susanna Chapman zooms in on one child’s experiences: Ada knows that the best place for star-gazing is on the island in Maine where she vacations with her grandparents. By day, she tracks osprey in the trees, paddles a kayak, and hunts for shells. But she’s most in her element when the sun goes down and the stars blink to life. Will the fog this year foil her plans, or will her grandfather find a way to shine a spotlight on the vast puzzle of the universe . . . until the weather turns?

Here are some brief teaching ideas from Candlewick Press. You can see inside this book at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Read more about the background to this book here. 

Aimed at primary aged children, this picture book is a tribute to the interconnectedness of the natural world, and to the precious gift of sharing experience and enthusiasm with those we love. Reading Time

This is a book to add to your school library collection but it also one that would be magical to share with just one or two children perhaps late at night and then you could all go outside and enjoy the spectacle of the night sky. 

If Only ... by Mies van Hout translated by David Colmer

"The child thought, 

If only I were a butterfly.

Then I could fly everywhere."

"The whirligig beetle thought,

If only I were a firefly.

Then I'd never be scared of the dark."

You might like to begin with my previous post about the wonderful Dutch illustrator Mies van Hout.

Which insect would you like to be? Stick insects blend in; bees have lots of friends; ladybugs are adorable; and grasshoppers can jump over things.

If only ... is such a terrific title. So much to talk and think about.  If you love the illustrations of Eric Carle then you are sure to equally love this book. On the final pages, Mies gives her readers a page of instructions on how to make collage art. She also has a double page spread with extra facts about each of the insects found in this book. I didn't know about whirligig beetles - they have this name because they swim in fast circles on the surface of the water.

Publisher blurb Pajama Press: What child has not daydreamed about having wings like a butterfly? But secretly, the flashy butterfly yearns for a stick insect’s privacy. And the stick insect wants to swim like a whirligig beetle.  One after the other, the denizens of bestselling author-illustrator Mies van Hout’s vibrant garden landscape wish to be like somebody else. From the glowing firefly to the capable spider to the adorable ladybugs, each one brings something to be admired. And when the dragonfly wishes to be like a child who can run, play, laugh, and build, a world of possibilities opens up.  A gentle but effective story for social emotional learning, If Only… allows children to reach their own conclusions and acknowledge that while it’s common to compare ourselves to others, it’s best to remember and celebrate what we ourselves can do.

If you speak Dutch here is a video where Mies talks about her book. The Dutch title is Was ik maar... You can see the ants from this book - I think they are terrific.

This new book (published 2021) is quite expensive here in Australia but if you have a little money I highly recommend adding this book to the collection of a preschool or primary school library. Here is a very detailed teacher guide from Pajama Press (Canada).

This gentle celebration of differences also promotes an appreciation of others’ strengths and quietly emphasises relationships within the animal kingdom. Kirkus

A visual delight, this picture book offers openings for conversation about wishes, predictions, and one’s own enviable strengths. School Library Journal

Other reviewers use words such as luminous, radiant, vivid and thought-provoking.

It seems obvious to pair this book with the books of Eric Carle and other illustrators who use collage but another possibility for a book to read along side If Only could be this very old book about being happy with who you are - The Mouse with the too long tail. Sadly this book, which I adore, is long out of print but you might find a copy in a library.  

One more thing - here is the bee page - it is scrumptious.

The Lost Star by Przemystaw Wechterowicz illustrated by Marcin Minor translated by Margot Channing

"Doormouse couldn't believe his eyes - it was a star! A real golden star that must have fallen from the sky. He smiled and whispered 'Hello', as he reached out to touch the star. Star looked up, twinkled and smiled back."

Doormouse invites Star to come and play. The new friends dance into the forest but Doormouse notices Star is fading. It is time for Star to return home but how can the animals of the forest help? Bear takes Star to the top of a tall tree. Crow flies with Star up high into the sky. Nothing works. Then the wise owl suggests the take Star to the lake.

"Suddenly the moon came out, lighting up the night-time sky ... The surface of the lake was now filled with the reflection of the sky above - it was star-studded!"

There are lots of books about finding stars and later returning them to the night sky but The Lost Star stands out because it has such luminous illustrations and a gentle, affirming ending.

Filled with atmospheric illustrations and soothing, dreamlike text, this heartwarming picture book will enchant children. Book Depository

Przemystaw Wechterowicz is the author of over forty books and his work has been translated into twenty languages.   Here is the cover of the Polish edition of this book:

I am including photos of Przemystaw and Marcin (illustrator).

I have previously talked about two other books by Polish author Przemystaw Wechterowicz - Hug me Please! and The secret life of a Tiger.

Other books about finding a star:

The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith

When I was researching The Blue Song Bird one reviewer mentioned The Fox and the Star. I am so happy to have discovered this elegant book.

I would use The Fox and the Star with a group of older students and I would also like to share this book with our art teacher. Here is one page but really you need to see every page in this book to fully appreciate the truly extraordinary designs used in this book. Take a look at this review which includes many of the illustrations.

Young Fox is timid and afraid to stray outside. His only friend is Star.

"... he would wake at night to the cool, calm light of Star."

This pair of Fox and Star are firm friends. Star lights the path and helps Fox find food but one night Star disappears. Fox withdraws into his den. When he emerges he sets off to find Star asking everyone he meets if they have seen his friend. Eventually he hears some words:

LOOK UP BEYOND YOUR EARS

Fox looks into the sky and he sees thousands of stars.

"Fox could not believe there were so many stars!
His heart was full of happiness.
He knew that somewhere out there was a star that was one his."

Watch this interview with Coralie Bickford-Smith.  In 2015 The Fox and the Star was named the Waterstones Book of the Year. Here are some reviews:

This is such a charming and gloriously delightful short tale, about friendship, facing your fears and looking beyond the obvious.  Love Reading 4 Kids

This is such a lyrical, fable-like tale of friendship and courage--of finding our way in the world and coming together once again. It's also about the greatness of the world, and if we dare to step outside the things and places we know--what true glory might be waiting for us. Kids Book Review

I would pair The Fox and the Star with our wonderful Australian picture book Fox by Margaret Wild illustrated by Ron Brooks.